Muccassassina - Get ready for the unpredictable

Nightlife Roman people have been at least once in their life to Muccassassina or have heard about it. I've been too.

The most cool and transgressive party of the capital organized every Friday night from the "Circle of Homosexual Culture Mario Mieli of Rome" at Qube disco.

It was 1990 when the independent association of gay culture Mario Mieli, born for the protection of gay and transgender's rights, organized the first Roman party "Muccassassina". Since then, from a little party dedicated to a small number of people, became one of the most expected and coveted event of Rome.

A performance of colours, beats, circus atmosphere that entwine music and entertainment with political content with the fight against aids and for the equal rights of gay, lesbian and trans. Muccassassina is housed in the three levels discotheque "Qube", that is one of the best equipped dancefloor of the city. House, R&b and Hip hop, happy commercial and music of many kinds with internationally renowned Dj set and an engaging inimitable entertainment with drag queen, gogo dancer and performances of break dance, freestyle, burlesque shows and lap dance.
In this carnival atmosphere is not necessary to have unconventional sexual orientation to enjoy and be at your ease, if you just like dance and have fun in a party out of the common there's not a better place.

Take a look to the offcial website: http://www.muccassassina.com/

The pure fun is "Muccassassina", every Friday night at Qube disco in Via di Portonaccio 212 Rome.

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La Porchetta di Ariccia

What an invention is the Porchetta!!
Too many times I felt bad eating it until the exhaustion and anytime I can, I like to eat it.

The porchetta is a rite, a tradition, a special custom here, everyone loves Porchetta in Rome. I have some friends around the world, Japanese (he is a chef), Thai, Australian, German, Argentine when they come to visit me in Rome I always let them taste the Porchetta, they love it, so far I have never seen one didn't like this dish, also a vegetarian might change mind trust me.Porchetta is a typical dish of the Center of Italy of millenary tradition, it consists of a whole pig, emptied and seasoned inside with salt, pepper, aromatic herbs and roasted in wood oven.
The Porchetta is eaten cut into slices as a main course or in sandwiches.

The origin of this delicious dish is attributed to Ariccia, a small town located on the Via Appia to 16 miles from Rome. If you have enough time in Rome I recommend to spend a dinner time here.
Ariccia for the people of Lazio is very famous for the "fraschette". It is a typical inn with simple furnishings, casks of wine, rough tables, typical equipment for the production of wine on the walls. Here you can taste as well as an excellent Porchetta other typical products come from the tradition of Lazio, salumi, fresh or seasoned cheese, olives, mushrooms in oil, pickles etc.. all served with fresh and authentic handcrafted wine.

Frascette are frequented a lot by the Romans during the weekend, everyone like to come here to enjoy a genuine dinner in mirth.

To get to Ariccia there is a train from Termini central station or better take Metro A until Anagnina and then a bus, with 30 minutes throughout you will be there. If you are really concerned to go to Ariccia let me know, I will suggest some Fraschette reallly good. Also in Rome if you good look around there are many shops selling Porchetta, but beware!
A good original Porchetta is an exclusive of a few.

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Riding in Rome

It is not legal for most people to drive around in the city center of Rome during weekdays and part of the weekend. This is what an official website says:

"Monday through Friday from 6.30 to 18.00 and Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 you are not allowed to drive to downtown Rome, unless you are a resident or you are granted a special permission". "Limited Traffic Zone" (Z.T.L. in Italian), have been equipped with electronic access detection devices, which are able to detect and record illegal access of vehicles. This electronic access detection system "reads" the plate numbers of vehicles illegally accessing the Zone and the vehicle owners will receive a fine at home.

Romans know that move around the city by car is not the simplest thing, and they know too the best way to move around Rome is the scooter.

Young, older, women, pensioners, business men, politicians, for deliveries and who need to move around the city for work, more and more people prefer the comfort and convenience of the scooter in a city traffic as Rome.

Even for the Tourist, in my opinion, a two-wheels is the best way to admire Rome.
With a 50cc scooter as a Vespa, you can go anywhere, there are not "Limited Traffic Zone" and you can park anywhere. Colosseum, St. Peter, Circus Maximum, Caracalla, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia, Fori Imperiali, Olimpic Stadium, all the main sites of the city you can easily reach with a scooter. You just need a driving license of your own country and ride on it, is even allowed to go in two. You don't worry if you have not ever driven,it is very easy and you will enjoy a lot this experience.There are many rent-scooter in town, one reliable and cheap I suggest is just outside the train Termini station, with 37 euro you get a scooter for 24h.

http://www.trenoescooter.com/

Admire the bridges of Rome by night with the scooter is a feeling that still make me emotions.

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Porta di Roma - One of the biggest malls in Europe

I am pleased to dedicate this post to a Shopping Mall such of this high level.
I tell you the truth, frankly I am also rather fond at this place. Since the inauguration of "Porta di Roma", in July of 2007 there's not been one time, to buy a gift, for a personal buying or even just comparing prices, I didn't come.
I find here everything and with the most competitive prices of the city.

An extension of 150,000 square meters, over than 250 shops and galleries of all kinds: clothes, accessories, restaurants, electronic, products for beauty and health, sports, culture, hobbies then a cinemas with 13 screens, hairdressing, post office, bank, travel agency, laundry, tailoring and anything else.

Porta di Roma also leads for various record: an Auchan of a 15,000 square meters the biggest in Italy, the MediaWorld on two floors largest in Europe and the first store "Fnac" of the Capital.
The imposing structure is gone to complete the commercial hub already existing of three huge stores: Ikea, Decathlon and Leroy Merlin which are all well connected to the mall.

What else to say about this big shopping city, you have just to come and lose yourself in the myriad of things to do. Attention can cause heavy dependence!
The mall is open everyday from 9.00 - 22.00.

If you go by car there is a two-floor free car park for 9000 cars.
With the bus get the number 38 from Termini train station,it will leave you right in front of the entrance.

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Aventino - A plunge in art and nature of Rome

After a required visit to "Circus Maximum", I propose here an itinerary very interesting in Rome that you should really do.
From the southern part of the Circus, cross the square Ugo la Malfa and take Via di S.Sabina, a small road going uphill.

Before you start to walk for this road, if we are in the period May to October, is really worth visiting the beautiful Rose Garden. The garden counts more than 1100 species of roses from all over the world, including the rose with green petals and a roses with petals that change color, it is also the site of an important world competition. Entry of course it's free.

Keep going up for this street you arrive at the beautiful "Parco Savelli" best known at Romans as "Il Giardino degli Aranci"(Orange Garden). Its name comes from the characteristic presence of numerous orange trees, from here you can enjoy an excellent view of Rome.

Going a litle forward surrounded by green cypresses there is "Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta" this square protected by a wall and decorated with obelisks and military trophies is dedicated to the Templars, monks-warriors defenders of Christianity. Here watching through the hole of the main door's lock you can see surprised the dome of St. Peter, at the end of a tree-lined avenue, that seems framed in a postcard and seems to be within walking distance. It's an amazing view.

Always few steps from here we find the early Christian church of S.Sabina in Rome founded in 425 A.C, is one of the oldest Christian churches still exist. This and many other relics and monuments can be seen across this hill named "Aventino", one of the seven hills of Rome.

It's easy to arrive here, just take the Metro B and get off at Circo Massimo, then reach the places by walk.

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Gianicolo - A glimpse on Rome

Gianicolo is one of the most evocative place of Rome, not very popular for tourists but much appreciated by the Romans, from here you enjoy one of the most charming landscapes of the old Town.

"La passeggiata del Gianicolo" consists in two long tree-lined avenues that crosses the whole hill from Trastevere to the opposite side Porta di San Pancrazio and converge on the top in "Piazza Garibaldi" where is the imposing equestrian monument dedicated to the hero of the Repubblic of Rome,"Garibaldi". This is the heart of Gianicolo, here on this beautiful terrace, Romans love to meet to admire the breathtaking Rome view.

Young lovers have here their romantic dates, families with their children come here on Sunday morning watching the puppet theater of Pulcinella. Who like to come here to relax, for a drink, to read something on a bench, or just for a walk to keep away from the noise of the city for a while, (as I like to do).

There is here also a curious tradition that remains in the heart of Romans since the 1904.

At that time Pope Pius XI to give a standard to the bells of the churches of Rome and avoid a confusion of time , introduced a Cannon that every day at noon sharp shot a blow blank.

Still now, every day on the terrace under the statue of Garibaldi, three soldiers of Army, let leave a shot from the same cannon so announcing the Noon.

This hill with its large public park full of monuments is now considered a sort of memorial of Risorgimento and certainly worth a visit when you come in Rome.

You can reach the Gianicolo with bus 64 from train station Termini or with the same bus from Piazza Venezia, then few minute walking.

Ciao a tutti!

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Cola di Rienzo - A touch of class for this Roman shopping street

If you want to spend an half day of shopping in Rome and some penny that sometimes it's not so bad, then the road of Rome that without doubt I tell you to go is "Via Cola di Rienzo".

This long street that starts from Piazza Risorgimento and finish to Piazza della Libertà is full of shops. Not many Rome guide books mention this one of the best street to do some buying, other shopping streets are more rated as Via del Corso or Via Nazionale, but I am here to suggest something more of the all the same Rome guides that you can find in any library. You want to buy an original gift, for example a beautiful tie refined in design, an excellent italian product.Here you are, you don't buy the famous tie made in china that you find all over the World.

There are many shops of hight level: clothing, shoes, accessories and other beautiful things for the happiness of your ladies. Prices are always in the average not too hight, no worry!

There are shops of Benetton, Onyx, Stefanel, Miss Sixty, Iron G., Diesel, Fellini, Coccinelle, Nara Camicie, Franceschini and many more..

There are also many chic cafes for a Roman aperitivo.

Castroni a food store where to buy fine food typical of Italian Regions in nice packs.

If you want a snack during your walk, next to Castroni there is a shop of takeaway named "Franchi" get in and take a couple of Supplì, they are fried rice meatballs with special ragù sauce inside. Phenomenal, they are too good!! People come to eat from every part of Rome.

Let me know..

Via Cola di Rienzo is near the Metro station of Ottaviano and borders with two other famous shopping streets Via Ottaviano e Via del Corso, for a long long shops tour. Your girlfriend will be happy, don't you? Don't get angry with me, my girl take me there at least once a week (when I'm lucky!).

You will see, Via Cola di Rienzo has a touch of class more than all others Roman shopping streets.

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Experimental Center of Contemporary Culture

On 27 January 1999 a group of Roman guys precarious, immigrants and unemployed, enter into a building owned by the City of Rome, abandoned and in total degradation, giving life to the most central of social centers in Rome.

Rialto Sant'Ambrogio from the begin is shaped up as an occupation "anomalous", in an attempt to develop a different place than previous experiencesin Rome. In few time Rialto is able to obtain a portion of the Monumental Complex di S. Ambrogio in Massima, where is still located.

Defined a "non-State public place" where producing urban culture,Rialto Sant'Ambrogio develops a cultural policy project, open at 360 degrees on all contemporary artistic languages.
Through a program of events that range from theater, music, visual arts, Rialto has become a landmark in Italy for all those artistic experiences "unconventional".

Unfortunately the website is only in Italian, cause you can see the variety of programs: works exposure, film Shorts, live music, theater works and more and more you can find here.
I like to go on weekend because there are always excellent performance of Electronic music with international Djs set until dawn.
The place is structured strange, it looks like an old school and it makes parties very cool.
However it's clean place and safe with a good security service.

Entry costs 5/8 euros and sometimes it's free (depend from the event), there are also two cocktail bar inside and they are quite cheap.
Rialto is placed in the heart of Rome.

You can get there easily walking from the main Roman sites, if you come from Termini train Station get bus 64 or 70.
The address is Via di S. Ambrogio n. 4

http://www.rialtosantambrogio.org/

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Useful numbers in Rome

Here I let for you some telephone numbers and advices that could be useful during your stay in Rome.
First to remember:
Italy code number: 0039
Rome code number: 06
For calls from Rome to Rome must always enter the city code (06), bu do not need to enter the country code (0039), hence for each call made to a fixed line need to enter the city code.

Rome Radio Taxy:
06 3570 - 06 8822 - 06 4994 - 06 6645 - 06 6696
Rome Buses: 0557003
Trains Station Termini:
Piazza dei Cinquecento, infoline 892021
Rome Airports:
Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci": 06 65951,
Ciampino: 06 794941
Safety:
Police Emergency Service: 113
Carabinieri: 112
Fire Service: 115
Rome Police Headquaters: 06 46861
Thefts should be reported at the nearest police or Carabinieri station.
Healt Emergency
Health Emergencies: 118
Red Cross Ambulance: 06 5510
First Aid Station: 06 58201030
Motorways:
Italian Automobile Club roadside Assistence: 116
Motorway management company: 80042121
Rome Tourist Call Center Info: 06 0608

If you have to stay in Rome for long period, I recommend to buy a prepaid calling card, it costs 5 euros with 5 euros of telephone traffic included working right at the moment.

In my opinion the best Telephone Company is "Wind Infostrada", the phone shots are counted per second not per minute, has a very good signal and prices.

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Football in Rome- Living the emotions of Serie A

This post is dedicated to all fans of Football game, as I am.

Since I was born, I was a supporter of S.S. Lazio. Created in 1900, Lazio is the first team in Rome, perahps less famous of A.S Roma abroad and with fewer fans, but with a spirit of devotion and passion enviable from the major European football club.I love my team, I can feel love, hate, sadness and happiness when it plays,it gives me strong emotions as if it is my second girlfriend. If you are fans as well you can understand these sentiments.

Being in Rome during the football season,why do not go to the stadium to watch a match?

The Olympic Stadium in Rome is located inside the complex's sports Forum Italico including
swimming, tennis and athletic stadiums. Originally named Foro Mussolini it was built during the years of Fascism, between 1928 and 1938, the design had been inspired to the old Imperial Roman Forum. This area covered with white precious marble, mosaics and surrounded by greenery, is very nice to visit.

The football matches tickets can be purchased:
Gate Terminal Art Gallery: Termini Station, in front of platform 24.
Via Pie di Marmo 37, near to Piazza Navona.
Via M. Colonna 37, next to Metro stop Lepanto.
Via Andrea Doria 77, near the Metro station Cipro.
All this places are close to the city. Prices ranges from 20 to 100 euros, it's up on where you want to watch the match. You can also easily buy tickets online from this website, it's reliable.
Worldticketshop.com

If you decide to go to watch the match at the last moment go directly to the stadium, will find always some people selling tickets underhand with an extra charge of 10, 15 euros, need to deal with them.

Get there: From Termini station get bus 910 until the last stop Piazza Mancini, cross the Tiber and you are there. From Metro station Ottaviano bus 32 leave you right in front of the Stadium.
Ask me for any questions.

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Market Porta Portese - Scents, colors and good deals..

Im glad to post few words about this market in Rome.

For those who do not know, it is the biggest and famous market of the capital, built in the area of Via Portuense from this street its name.

The origins of the market goes back at the end of World War II, when in Rome it was more felt the need to exchange second-hand goods. It is a huge area now, with miles of stands. You can really find everything: Electronics, clothes, books, dvd, antiques, prints, jewelry,vintage costumes, collectors and modeling, food, souvenirs, pets and any other kind of new and used items.
When I have a Sunday morning off from my job, I like to come here for a walk and I hardly manage to return at home empty-handed.
The market is opened every Sunday, stands starts to be mounted in the middle of the night and at 6 o'clock it's already open, I suggest to be there early morning, you'll have more chance to find your deals.
While you stroll from one stall to another, test the delicious Sandwich with "Porchetta" (take a look to the post about this food jewel of Lazio tradition), or munch the newly hot roasted peanuts and look out to the roaming vendors they could have really hot staff to propose as mobile, cameras, watches at very low prices.

One thing I recommend is to be careful at pickpockets wandering in the crowd, they are not many but is better you keep eyes on your values.
You can feel an exciting and sorrounding atmosphere over here, if you are a bargain lover should not miss this event in Rome.

Market closes at 2 o'clock.

How to get there.
From train station Termini and from Piazza Venezia take the bus 170, it stop straight in front of the market, or from Metro station Ottaviano catch the bus 23.

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Restaurant "Candido" - Cozy, genuine and fine food made in Italy.

In the years, during my work as a receptionist in Rome, so many time guests ask me where to find a good restaurant nearby. I always find it diffcult to advice a good restaurant when there is not good restaurant in that area of Rome. I like fine food, especially genuine and authentic, but also exploring new tastes and I think that always need to look around, try and try to find the best.

In this guide of Rome I will recommend only great places where I've been and easily reachable from the center of Rome. So don't worry if you are new in town and do not know how to get there, I always will explain how to get easily into places that I mention from the main sites of Rome.

I like to go to this restaurant at least once a month, often with friends or sometimes with my girlfriend ever to make for good. I can taste here dishes truly unique with essential ingredients perfectly combined. Meat and cheese are specials here, products of natural Italian farms.In this restaurant taste everything Italian, fresh ingredients and authentics,that will leaves a pleasant memory on your palate. Also pizza and the homemade cakes are something of special here. You can find a wide selection of wines to accompany your choices and professional waiters can recommend the best choice according to your needs. The environment is clean and refined, you feel at your ease and the staff is friendly, many of the show businnes come to eat here because it is located near TV studios and because they know how to eat well.















The beautiful thing are prices, affordable as most of the restaurants for tourists are in Rome, but the quality is much higher.
I can suggest some food as: Pasta ai 4 Formaggi, Amatriciana, Bruschette al Lardo, Filetto all'Aceto Balsamico or Pizza Capricciosa, but whatever you choose will be a good choice.

The restaurant is located in Viale Angelico 275, in the area of Prati, 5 minutes from St. Peter's church. From metro stop Ottaviano take bus 32 towards the Olympic Stadium 5 minutes and you're there, or by taxy in 3 minutes,
easy and it's worth!!

http://www.ristorantecandido.com/

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